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Invisiblepoke smot!
floccinocci floofinator
Male

Registered: 01/08/03
Posts: 5,248
Terrarium control system
    #1237722 - 01/21/03 04:41 PM (21 years, 11 days ago)

For those of you who are interested, I've finished my first control system. It works fine, just as I had planned, and I've documented everything in the process of making it on this site

There are complete design plans to build your own, and although it requires some electrical expertise to do this, I am willing to make units for other shroomerites who are interested in precise, automated control of their fruiting chamber's conditions.

The unit has many uses. It can automatically turn fans on for a set amount of time for air circulation; It can turn on your humidifier when the humidity drops below a certain percent RH; It can heat or cool your chamber. All of this is done through a PC's parallel port, and the software has been tested on Windows XP and 2000.

Just drop me a line (via. PM) if you have any questions or are interested.


Edited by poke smot! (09/07/20 01:15 PM)


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OfflineAnnoA
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: poke smot!]
    #1238179 - 01/21/03 11:41 PM (21 years, 10 days ago)

Cool! Build me one, build me one ! :wink: 


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OfflineDelariand
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: poke smot!]
    #1239120 - 01/22/03 08:01 AM (21 years, 10 days ago)

*jaw hits floor*

Wow, that's awesome! I've had something like this nagging the back of my mind for a while, but I'm a software geek, not a hardware geek, and I didn't even have a clue where to start. Thanks to your page I can hack together some parts and pretend like I know what I'm doing, and possibly even get a working terrarium control system out of it. Thanks!


--------------------
-

There once was a bud named BC
He grew on a seven foot tree
Then one day I plucked him
To roll him and smoke him
And now I can barely see!


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OfflineSeussA
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: poke smot!]
    #1239526 - 01/22/03 10:11 AM (21 years, 10 days ago)

Nice layout... did you use mentor graphics? Been a while since I worked with it, but those are what our printouts used to look like.


--------------------
Just another spore in the wind.


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Invisiblepoke smot!
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Re: Terrarium control system *DELETED* [Re: Seuss]
    #1240351 - 01/22/03 02:48 PM (21 years, 10 days ago)

Post deleted by poke smot!

Reason for deletion: x



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Offlinezeronio
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: poke smot!]
    #1241059 - 01/22/03 07:16 PM (21 years, 10 days ago)

Yes, that's very cool! Tell us how much will it be!
Another question:
What about the protection of computer from the high currents on relays?


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InvisibleMicronMagick
old hand

Registered: 10/16/01
Posts: 1,026
Re: Terrarium control system [Re: poke smot!]
    #1241259 - 01/22/03 08:35 PM (21 years, 10 days ago)

Post deleted by administrator.


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OfflineSeussA
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: zeronio]
    #1241366 - 01/22/03 10:20 PM (21 years, 9 days ago)

Quote:

What about the protection of computer from the high currents on relays?





What do you mean? Any high current from the switching side of the relay is isolated from the rest of the circuit. The relay has a diode across the coil protecting that side of the circuit. I don't see a problem here in the design.


(Mentor graphics is an EE cad, digital design and modeling program, not a graphics drawing program. Nice artwork.)


--------------------
Just another spore in the wind.


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Offlineshroomologist
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: poke smot!]
    #1242032 - 01/23/03 05:41 AM (21 years, 9 days ago)

i have access to a rapid prototyping circuit board machine

basically, its a CNC router that makes/drills double sided circuit boards.

if you draw a layout, i might be interested in making some up.

just depends on the popularity of this idea!


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OfflineH2O2shrooms
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: shroomologist]
    #1243918 - 01/23/03 05:10 PM (21 years, 9 days ago)

Thats alot faster than me running down to radio shack and making a few.
I mentioned this to some other guys and I know of at least 4 ya could sell.


--------------------
Mycology is a lot like quantum mechanics in that we don?t have causal relationships like in Newtonian physics, only probabilities of various outcomes.<=== Misapropriated from Mycofile


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Offlinezeronio
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: Seuss]
    #1244278 - 01/23/03 07:50 PM (21 years, 9 days ago)

Quote:

What do you mean? Any high current from the switching side of the relay is isolated from the rest of the circuit. The relay has a diode across the coil protecting that side of the circuit. I don't see a problem here in the design.




I don't know much about electronics & terminology that's why I'm asking this.
I meant optical isolation between high current side and the logic side. Would that make things much more expensive? I'm wondering what are the chances that I fry my computer if I switch currents of 3A or 5A? Is that diode in relay enough?


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OfflineSeussA
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: zeronio]
    #1245999 - 01/24/03 11:57 AM (21 years, 8 days ago)

A relay is a magnetic controlled switch. The high current side has no physical contact to the control side. The control side is simply a magnetic coil that pulls the switch closed when the coil is charged. A spring opens the switch when the coil discharges. The only concern is that the energy stored in the coil has to go somewhere when discharged. The diode takes care of that little problem providing a one-way path when needed.


--------------------
Just another spore in the wind.


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Offlinezeronio
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: Seuss]
    #1247086 - 01/25/03 02:15 AM (21 years, 7 days ago)

Cool! Thanx!!!


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Offlineshroomologist
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: poke smot!]
    #1251991 - 01/27/03 03:39 AM (21 years, 5 days ago)



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Offlinekykeon
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: Seuss]
    #1252027 - 01/27/03 03:56 AM (21 years, 5 days ago)

Code:
Computer-Controlled Appliance Switch


cool! i remember five years ago, a friend of mine has made his computer go off/on several thingies in his house... but i had forgot about it.

COOL DUDE, well done :smile:


--------------------
The living ghost of Kykeon


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OfflineAnnoA
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: shroomologist]
    #1252109 - 01/27/03 04:24 AM (21 years, 5 days ago)

>here's two products that do the same thing

Can you attach a humidity and temperature probe on these?


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OfflineChills420 version2
Poo Pie Maker

Registered: 01/25/03
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: Anno]
    #1252412 - 01/27/03 06:43 AM (21 years, 5 days ago)

Quote:

>here's two products that do the same thing

Can you attach a humidity and temperature probe on these?




I don't think these will let you do that.

But someone told me about a switch they make and sell at lowes that is made to open valves it's runs of moister in the air is suposed to have a setting ajustment.

I dunno though I'm going to hunt for this in a few hours. If i find it i'll let you know.
I hope if i can find it.
If it will set right is the ? though.


I plan on doing a mock setup with some extra dung/straw I had left over from the last run.
This way I can see if it will let me control it without the cause of losing a crop if it doesn't work out.


--------------------

You may say Im a dreamer,
but Im not the only one,
I hope some day you'll join us,
And the world will live as one.



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OfflineChills420 version2
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: Chills420 version2]
    #1253413 - 01/27/03 11:53 AM (21 years, 5 days ago)

Well lowes doesn't have it. However I have located one I think.
I asked a guy with a plumbing shit on about them. He told me where to get them at a plumbing shop downtown.
He also clames they make one that will read humidity and cause it to open or close depending on how u set it.

He wasn't sure of the exact name so I'll be hunting again tomorow.

I did see something at a pet store it was called a "FROG HUT"
the lady said it will keep humidity at any level you set it at same with the temp.

Mesurements on it were roughly 17x34x14
It has top mounted auto fans that will come on and bottom vents about 6 inches up.
Downfall to this thing is they want 175.00 + another 100 for the stand.

I think i'm gona fig out the switch thing b4 i spend that much on a frog hut that might not work.


--------------------

You may say Im a dreamer,
but Im not the only one,
I hope some day you'll join us,
And the world will live as one.



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Offlineshroomologist
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: Anno]
    #1253517 - 01/27/03 12:28 PM (21 years, 5 days ago)

Quote:

>here's two products that do the same thing

Can you attach a humidity and temperature probe on these?




good point, but it can be used to switch things like apliances, and such, via computer.

I didn't know that the circuit also monitored the humidity and temp, sorry, i read over that. I did go to the page, but just missed that part.

and i do think that the x-10 control systems have input sensitive modules.


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OfflineBC-Shroom
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Registered: 10/26/02
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: poke smot!]
    #1253681 - 01/27/03 01:22 PM (21 years, 5 days ago)

I had this idea for ages (I'm in tech school, finished telecom going in to automation (climate control :smile:) The only thing that stopping me is the actual humidity and temp sensors.... Anyone knows a better deal ?
Peace
BC 


--------------------
I regret to say that we of the F.B.I. are powerless to act in cases of oral-genital intimacy, unless it has in some way obstructed interstate commerce. - J. Edgar Hoover


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Offlineshroomologist
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: BC-Shroom]
    #1253709 - 01/27/03 01:32 PM (21 years, 5 days ago)

For my engineering robotics class, we used a microcontroller, it did everything for you, without a computer.

It had a 4 channel A/D converter for voltage to digital value converting, an H-bridge for driving 1A loads, and 12 digital inputs/outputs.

so, if you wanted, you could get a humidity sensor, a temp probe, and connect them to the A/D convertor. Possibly interface an LCD to tell temp and humidity. Then write a small program in assembly to run.

I could actually make some of these, but i don't know what the interest in this might be.

Are we just wanting to control humidity and temperature?

Here's My idea:

PIC processor, with built in A/D converter
Clock circuit for timing the night system, interfaced to the PIC
Temp control circuit
Temp detection circuit
Peltier junction (heats AND cools, depending on polarity)
Humidity control circuit
Humidity detection circuit.
Air circuilation circuit

the lights/air circuilation would be controlled depending on the value of the clock going to the pic. It would be set to certain times to provide light and air flow on intermittent schedules, and also allow for adjusting.

The temp/humidity control would be interfaced to the pic and be called upon when temp or humidity goes out of the set range. If triggered, they would turn on the humidifier, or the heating/cooling system.

I've wanted to do this, but no one seemed interested. If someone is interested in helping, i could do the circuit design, assembly, and programming. I might need some help with the specifics, but it shouldn't be too hard.

I just don't see the need in the interface to the computer when you can do it with one chip basically.


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OfflineHumidity
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: shroomologist]
    #1253886 - 01/27/03 02:43 PM (21 years, 5 days ago)

Shroomologist I have some experince with microcontrollers and many other digital and analog circuits. Sounds like you have the right idea a PIC microcontroller would be perfect for this application. The device that you are talking about building would cost a decient amount of $Money$ if you buy everything and build it from scratch. If you decide to build one I can help you out with some of the design stuff if you need it.

BTW poke smot! your invention is pretty neat. Nice Job!


--------------------
_____________________________________________________________________________________
"The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge." -Stephen Hawking


Edited by Humidity (01/27/03 02:44 PM)


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Offlineshroomologist
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: Humidity]
    #1254096 - 01/27/03 04:01 PM (21 years, 5 days ago)

If you don't include the peltier junction it shouldn't cost much.

Microcontroller, crystal, caps and resistors shouldn't cost much, no more than 20

relay to trigger aquarium heater, relay to trigger humidifier, no more than 10

humidity sensor, temp sensor, not too expensive, maybe $10

i'll build the circuits myself on the etching machine.

so, for under $50 (high estimate), its a fully standalone unit, and it could be interfaced easily to a computer if needed through its own serial port.


On second thought, the light would be better off using a programmable timer that u can get for around $15.


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Offlineshroomologist
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: shroomologist]
    #1254123 - 01/27/03 04:12 PM (21 years, 5 days ago)

maybe we can get a start here:

http://www.circuitcellar.com/library/print/1101/Wasinger136/index.asp

and have it control outputs instead of outputting serially


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Invisiblepoke smot!
floccinocci floofinator
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Re: Terrarium control system *DELETED* [Re: shroomologist]
    #1254293 - 01/28/03 04:23 AM (21 years, 4 days ago)

Post deleted by poke smot!

Reason for deletion: x



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OfflineGratefulDread
Never pass up anopportunity topee.

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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: poke smot!]
    #1254360 - 01/28/03 04:47 AM (21 years, 4 days ago)

You know alot of time/trouble could be saved by just using existing technologies like using a humidistat ( http://www.buenisima.com/itm00036.htm) $99.99 and hooking it to your cool mist humidifier. This would save you the $60 for the system and whatever the input devices are going to cost and the price of a junk comp to run it all. As for the tempurature most people's houses are at 70-75 degrees so it doesn't make alot of sense to pay the extra for a heater/cooler for your terrarium.


--------------------
Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes.
That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.


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Invisiblemycofile
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: GratefulDread]
    #1254496 - 01/28/03 05:33 AM (21 years, 4 days ago)

GD, you could, but that's not really what this thread is about. Infact, some top of the line humi's even have built in humidistats. This thread is about a pc acting as a central controller. PC's are very flexible and would even allow a person with slight competency on their puter to monitor and adjust settings while 1000 miles away on vacation. Not to mention allow standardized record keeping.

Actually, now that I mention it, poke, could you incorporate some type of integrated graphing system to take daily high low stats for temp and humidity? Either built into the software or plugged into excel or something? In fact, a customizable record keeping system for each of the 8 inputs would be great, as well as things like time each appliance is on daily etc. This info would be a boon, not just for the individual, but even for others without the system. For example, say your software records that the humidifier comes on for 5 minutes every 27 minutes at 75 deg, but every 22 minutes at 70 degrees. If this info is shared with others without the system, they can fine tune similar setups without having to go through as much trial and error. Dig? If it's incorporated in the software, make it exportable so that it can be incorporated into a spreadsheet for further analysis. That shouldn't be too hard, is it?

BTW, I helped a buddy set up an X-10 system a couple years ago. It worked well, but when he showed it off to his wife, she stole it for home automation! Anyway, all the sensors we could find to work with his X-10 controller were either worthlessly inaccurate, or massively expensive. Granted neither of us are techies, so there may have been a cheaper way, but we researched all the available products made for x-10 systems.

The idea of a standalone system is good, even though I can't really comment on the technical aspects of them. All you smart engineers get cracking on this. I think given all the money and time people spend maintaining their system, lots of people would pay $100 to automate it. Even if the system didn't require a pc, pc connectivity would be great considering the record keeping and remote monitoring capabilities inherrent in a pc.

I love technical advances in our hobby. I mean, such a refined art as ours should not be limited to storage bins, fish aquariums or overpriced space pods. Not to dis those things, they certainly work, but we should have more sophisticated options for those inclined. And if we draw on members of the community, maybe we can avoid the price gauge which similar systems for pot growers get nailed with. Example: http://www.77hydrostore.com/greenairghc4.html


--------------------
"From a certain point of view"
-Jedi Master Obi Wan Kenobi

PM me with any cultivation questions.

I just looked at my profile and realized I had a website at one point in time on geocities, it's not there anymore and I have no idea what I had on it. Anybody remember my website from several years aga? PM if so please.


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Offlineshroomologist
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: mycofile]
    #1254657 - 01/28/03 06:27 AM (21 years, 4 days ago)

well, i have a few sources for the bigger parts like an LCD or keypad and pic and sensors. If you wrote the program right, you could have a self sufficient unit where you can adjust setpoints.

And Poke Smot:
I wouldn't be running the peltier off the pic, lol
thats what FET's are for. It wouldn't take much to drive it. Its either on or off, logic 1 or 0. I work at GE in virginia, and have access to engineers and equipment. I also go to school at an engineering school, and have access to labs and teachers for help. So it wouldn't be too hard for the design part. temp and humidity and keypad input, and temp and humidity and LCD and serial output.

basically, it wouldn't take much. Even without a peltier (mainly needed for cooling, and replacing it with a heating unit, it would be really useful.

Plus, it wouldn't be hard to add to the PIC routines that spit the data back to the PC Via serial port for data logging or to control the unit remotely. Just a few extra subroutines.

I just need a few people that know assembly to help.


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Invisiblepoke smot!
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Re: Terrarium control system *DELETED* [Re: mycofile]
    #1255290 - 01/28/03 09:41 AM (21 years, 4 days ago)

Post deleted by poke smot!

Reason for deletion: x



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Offliner05c03
The Slug Scourge
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: mycofile]
    #1255328 - 01/28/03 09:58 AM (21 years, 4 days ago)

Hey you check out websites for companies that make programs and hardware for soil science, plant pathology, and horticultural research. Their they have programs and hard material that does exatcly that (temp logging and so on). It is an expensive option, tho,....but if you are not too technically inclined then...



--------------------
Listen! Do you smell something?


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Offlineshroomologist
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: poke smot!]
    #1255491 - 01/28/03 10:50 AM (21 years, 4 days ago)

Quote:

Shroomologist - You will probably need multiple FETs to drive such a load. Plus, you need to have it reversible so you can change the direction of the current.





to drive the load to what? the peltier? thats what an H-bridge is for :smile:


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Invisiblepoke smot!
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Re: Terrarium control system *DELETED* [Re: shroomologist]
    #1256084 - 01/28/03 02:30 PM (21 years, 4 days ago)

Post deleted by poke smot!

Reason for deletion: x



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InvisibleJoshua
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: poke smot!]
    #1256735 - 01/28/03 06:39 PM (21 years, 4 days ago)

I want one!

Joshua


--------------------
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Great books for inquiring minds!

"Life After Death is Saprophytic!"


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OfflineHumidity
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: Joshua]
    #1259226 - 01/29/03 02:01 PM (21 years, 3 days ago)

I went to Digi-Key today and checked out some stuff. The rH sensors arn't cheap click here to check out the sensors that they carry. The rH sensor would probibly be on the the more important sensors and you would want one that is accurate form 0 to 95% rh. These range from $18 to $50. Which I think is pretty expensive. Besides that temperature sensors were cheap $.48 to $6.93 a peace. So, I guess it would be completly possible to build a complete unit that would control rH and temperature as well as possibly sending readings to a computer for recording. I don't know exactly how this would be done, probibly through the PC's parallel port.


--------------------
_____________________________________________________________________________________
"The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge." -Stephen Hawking


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Offlineshroomologist
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: Humidity]
    #1259251 - 01/29/03 02:08 PM (21 years, 3 days ago)

they are spendy for some models

I have a few bookmarked sites i'll look at, some are surplus places.

and one place had a unit that was temp and humidity for around $10 or so.

pic processors aren't more than 10, sensors no more than 20, passive components aren't expensive, a/d convertor is cheap, serial connector is all you need for a base model.

eh, fuck it

i don't wanna get stuck programming this thing.... lol

i'll keep looking for something that someone's already built i can use


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OfflineHumidity
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: Humidity]
    #1259258 - 01/29/03 02:09 PM (21 years, 3 days ago)

It would also be nice to have a CO2 sensor on it. I wonder were you can get one of those?


--------------------
_____________________________________________________________________________________
"The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge." -Stephen Hawking


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Offlineshroomologist
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: Humidity]
    #1259278 - 01/29/03 02:14 PM (21 years, 3 days ago)

shit, if u guys really want, we can try and develop something.

I just want to know, who would be interested?

we could have several models:

temp only sense and control

temp and humidity sense and control

temp, humidity, C02 and 02 sense and control

addons:
peltier module
LCD
serial communication

etc

like, lets brain storm some things, maybe improve upon the original idea posted in this thread, add to is, modify it.

basically, i just got done with a PIC processor class, and i'm eager to use it for something :smile:

and i can etch boards for free too.


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Invisiblepoke smot!
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Re: Terrarium control system *DELETED* [Re: shroomologist]
    #1259331 - 01/29/03 02:30 PM (21 years, 3 days ago)

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Offlineshroomologist
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: poke smot!]
    #1259411 - 01/29/03 02:57 PM (21 years, 3 days ago)

the pic is pretty nifty, it sends serial bit streams

it wouldn't take much to format the data string, and send it 8bits at a time, serially.

Lets (you and me) do this:

get a temp sensor first
get a relay to drive a aquarium heater

and i'll use my development board to rig it up.
I'll write some sample code to test the temp sensor, and depending on HARDCODED values, i could either turn the relay on or off for the heater.

Then, if you could write software to detect the serial output of the pic, and record it (we'll talk about a standard) and log the temperature data.

its a base, but once we get this part setup, the humidity, C02 and 02 sensor/control would be CAKE.

private message me plz, i'll send u some links


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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: shroomologist]
    #1261134 - 01/30/03 07:19 AM (21 years, 2 days ago)

could you please keep correspondence in this thread? I am an associate electronics engineer (old-skool grad of 1997) and have been following this thread closely. i don't have time to truly contribute to this project but am extremely interested in it's progress. if it comes down to a finshed product I will be happy to do a ton of soldering work for a free unit. (or some other such labor for trade). i have no software skills wort fspeaking of. my circuit design is a bit rusty (have never gotten a job that utilizes my degree). i do have a test/repair bench (scope, multimeter, freq gen) and am a soldering pro.


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Offlineshroomologist
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: debianlinux]
    #1264248 - 01/31/03 03:28 AM (21 years, 1 day ago)

I'll keep with this thread also. I want to see it come to fruit so to speak, and have enough limited knowledge to program, design, assemble and test units. As far as mass producing this unit, it still might be limited. We will see.

I basically need a starting point. Pokesmot and i talked and figured it would be best to start off with temp and temp control only first, then move to humidity and other options like LCD, C02 levels, serial communication, external ram (compact flash/usb card).

I would like for an all in one unit, but it wouldn't be hard to design a unit flexible enough to program with a serial interface to a computer.

where should i start?


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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: shroomologist]
    #1264590 - 01/31/03 05:52 AM (21 years, 1 day ago)

well, temp is the easiest angle to start with but, at least for me, is also the most useless as I have no problem regulating temperature with practically no more work than setting it and letting go. depending on what "platform" your gonna build off of this may well be the best way to start just to get into the swing of things (you know like housing and wiring/running, etc.). when you get some "specs" together toss me some part#'s and some tech spec sheets. I'm curious about the expandability of this device. my vision would be a "box" that you can get various sensors for and joe_cultivator could add sensors as needed. the real gem here is gonna be the software. it needs a "plug&play" (cringe) type feature where it is capable of reading all the sensors out of the box and will immediately begin reading/logging the second a sensor is plugged in. there will have to be a decision to make it a computer programmable/interfacable box with LCD (BTW LCD's are stupid simple to work with, I made an aquarium control unit for my logic class' final project, measured water levels and temperature and operated water valves and pumps to keep a constant temp and water level and was entirely LCD/keypad based). personally I would want the whole thing to be computer only. average joe_cultivator doesn't have spare computers laying around tho. computer only definitely makes it all easier as the circuitry is simply sensors, switches, and communication (serial). data logging is my main reason for wanting it entirely computer based. again, the software is the k3y here. this is why I'm more interested in watching this develope, I don't really have time to play with all these scenarios or develop them. i can provide creative input and criticism. an ideal starter box would regulate temperature (that's a trick since there is no set method for providing heat, I use a oil-filled radiator heater for example, not an aquarium heater), humidity, lighting, and lastly co2. co2 is a bit thorny since sensor tpye, placement, proper use, and what to actually do about it are very ambigous. so, there's some more blah blah from me :smile:.


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Offlineshroomologist
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: debianlinux]
    #1264623 - 01/31/03 06:02 AM (21 years, 1 day ago)

i know temp is a bit useless, but it could be better suited for incubators.

like, I gutted a dorm fridge, and i'd like to be able to take temperature readings and regulate temperature inside within a certain acuracy. Then, when fruilting, basically only log the temp, but not control it.

humidity is more useful. Getting an accurate sensor, and means to accurately measure and control the humidity is a little triucky, since some of the sensors are not accurate past 90% RH.

Do you have the pic subroutines for the LCD and the keypad?
I have subroutines for A/D conversion and control aspects. the main program won't be anything special. Call this, call that, return to this, etc etc.

I'd like to have a unit, that measures 2 temp and 2 humidity sensors and controls up to 2 heaters and 2 humifidiers.

would a built in adjustment for light be good too?

This could be used for any type of growing. Weed, Salvia, Mushrooms (active and non active), household plants, terreriums, reptiles and amphibians etc etc.

I know i could market it, problem is, i can't write shit for code in windows. I'm used to assembly and digital logic :smile:


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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: shroomologist]
    #1265861 - 01/31/03 12:35 PM (21 years, 1 day ago)

Quote:

basically only log the temp, but not control it.



i would like that as well
Quote:

Do you have the pic subroutines for the LCD and the keypad?



when i said it was entirely LCD based i meant that. i could dig it up if you are truly interested. there was no PIC (that was the next semester) all the preset max/min was based on high/low states for the individual LCD cells. basically it was a true study in logic gates. when the "preset" temperature max/min was showing on the LCD then all the necessary high/lows were met and the required function would be activated. IOW, the pins of the LCD cells were attached to logic gates so the state of the cell corresponded to the logic state in the gates. the whole thing was built around an A/D converter which I don't recall (again, I could dig it up if you want, it won't be too relevant to this project). i do remember that i used a transistor's internal junction/diode (which is extremely sensitive to temperature changes) as the actual temperature probe, IOW the probe was physically a transistor using just the base and emitter (that impressed the hell out my instructors). As for PICs, well after my digital semester I got pretty jaded with electronics on the whole and basically did what I had to graduate and quit being so creative and progressive in my learning (this was because I wanted to patent this aquarium control unit and my school informed me that it was THEIR intellectual property and I could do no such thing) This was when I really focused on computer networking (and discovered Debian Linux and got my nick) which is my job today.
Quote:


would a built in adjustment for light be good too?



making a timer function for lighting would be trivial, why not?
Quote:

i can't write shit for code in windows. I'm used to assembly and digital logic :smile: 



same here (though I'm far out of practice, really I just use my "skills" for repair,.. I can fix ANYTHING electronic) in fact, I have discovered that I'm mentally blocked when it comes to anything more advanced than JAVA (hmmm, maybe I could code some JAVA for this, dunno haven't touched that since I lost my webmaster job) 


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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: shroomologist]
    #1266266 - 01/31/03 04:19 PM (21 years, 1 day ago)

What were you planning to use to adjust the humidity that needs to be computer controlled along with your idea. All the humidistats that i've seen have all been mechanical only by manually tuning them. Unless you are able to come up with an idea that that incorperates a motor that drives the nob that tunes the humidistat. I don't think this sort of thing can be done by a pc.


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Re: Terrarium control system *DELETED* [Re: ir2suave]
    #1266429 - 01/31/03 05:43 PM (21 years, 1 day ago)

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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: poke smot!]
    #1266862 - 01/31/03 07:56 PM (21 years, 1 day ago)

How much does that cost? Looks good but It says it's only accurate to 95%Rh. Could it still give 'reasonable' readings outside that range?
I'm eager to build a 'grow space' control system, but I'm more inclined into doing in through a computer-based unit. Although designing a standalone unit which would make it easy for the user to modify the routines would be a great project. You have my full support, guys.
This is one cool-ass thread...!  :laugh: :cool:

 


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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: ir2suave]
    #1267000 - 01/31/03 09:25 PM (21 years, 1 day ago)

logic on and off humidifier

if humidity is too low, turn on, if too high, turn off.

simple


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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: shroomologist]
    #1267545 - 02/01/03 07:37 AM (21 years, 13 hours ago)

The PIC chips are really nice for simple controllers. There are several different types and styles of the chip. They use a very small risc instruction set that is very easy to learn and program (assuming you know basic assembly). You can turn almost any pin on the chip into an input or an output. Be careful of inputs that are open collector only and don't forget the pullup resistor if needed.

If you need more power, something like the motorola HC11 (M68HC711E9 is a good reprogrammable version) chipset is pretty good. The instruction set is more complex, as is the chip itself. They have built in analog to digital converters and EEPROM, both of which can be nice. You would need something like a Maxium max131 (? been a while, think this is the chip I used to use) chip to convert to serial line (RS232) voltages.

In both cases you need special hardware to burn the chips. We had a programmer for the PIC chips and just built a programmer into the HC11 designs.


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Re: Terrarium control system *DELETED* [Re: Seuss]
    #1269375 - 02/01/03 07:31 PM (21 years, 1 hour ago)

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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: poke smot!]
    #1269426 - 02/01/03 07:50 PM (21 years, 1 hour ago)

Wow, that's a crazy  little  program you've written up there! Kudos on all the cool work.  :shocked: :cool:   


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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: poke smot!]
    #1270332 - 02/02/03 06:23 AM (20 years, 11 months ago)

hey poke smot

wanna just build some of those for now?

ONLY for logging?

cause for the most part, its kinda hard to fuck up the humidity and temperature once fruiting. Unless you're a total tool.

i could etch some boards for free, get chips for cheep and assemble at work, and you can include software and code.

just an idea.


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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: shroomologist]
    #1271905 - 02/02/03 05:25 PM (20 years, 11 months ago)

Ranco makes a two way temp controller. Easy plug in (120V) access. Too hot, turns on the cooling device, too cold, turns on the heating device. Accurate to the degree and has a resolution up to three degrees F. Simple, and only about 80 bucks. I really really like this idea though, I'm figuring out how to run a parallel cable to my setup.

For those of us in warmer climates (or those of us who are control freaks) what do ya'll reccomend for cooling? An airconditioner would work, but is dumb for obvious reasons. Glycol unit? Freezer compressor? TEC/Peltier/Heat sink?

Free P. Cyanescens spores to the first person to offer a decent priced unit with temp/hygro contol/logging.


cyankid


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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: cyankid]
    #1271997 - 02/02/03 06:28 PM (20 years, 11 months ago)

first off, we're trying to make a controller for under $50

so far, we can do that, and i'm working on a design for the pic processing unit. Right now, the unit pokesmot uses, plugs into the computer, and the computer controls the RH and Temp. Alot easier to program and use a computer than it would be to spend way too much for a limited ability unit. His unit does control, sense and logs the data.

and for cooling, it would probably be easier to use a peltier because of size and cost. Its not cheap, but you can get units with heat sinks on them already for under $30. Hook that to a fan, and blow cool air into the chamber, or just mount inside.


so, who would be interested in one of these units? is it worth developing?


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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: cyankid]
    #1272017 - 02/02/03 06:40 PM (20 years, 11 months ago)

Here is what I a, thinking... (Sorry, I have been offline for a few days I moved to a new apartment).

I think that we can design a device that anyone can easily use. The PIC microcontroller would be programmed to sense temperature and rH and turn an output on or off based on the current temp. and rH. The design would be:

A user plugs the temperature and rH regulating devices (Humdifiers, aquarium heaters, heating pads, ect) into the controller, then the PIC micro controller turns them on or off depending on the current conditions. The user can control the temperature and rH levels by DIP switches that can be adjusted depending on there liking.

The unit that I am thinking of will plug into the wall and have to input plugs. You would plug your temp. controller into one and rH controller into the other (
humidifiers, aqua heaters, heating pads, ect.) . You set the DIP switches to your desired conditions and that is it. The PIC will turn your devices on or off depeniding on the conditions.

It might also be useful to add a aeration plug into the device or create a differnet model for people that use perlite or other humidification methods that do not introdurce fresh air into their terrariums. One out put to control the temp and the other output to contol the air exchange. Which of coarse could be controlled by DIP switches that can be changed to just about anything the user want/needs


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OfflineGthirteens
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: poke smot!]
    #1272432 - 02/02/03 11:08 PM (20 years, 11 months ago)

Post a price ASAP!! How big of a growing chamber is it? Is it small, or large?... enough to grow alot?

Peace
Gthirteens


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Offlineshroomologist
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: Humidity]
    #1272538 - 02/03/03 01:27 AM (20 years, 11 months ago)

humidity, thats what i was gonna design pretty much

but instead of dip switches (needs 1 line per switch) i could just use a potentiometer into an a/d converter, and match the voltage of the temp to the voltage on the pot, and if its out of range (doesn't match pot) adjust the temp accordingly. Same with the humidity.

for now, we're starting off with the original design, making a few, seeing how much interest there is.


and Gthirteens
We don't have cost, but our goal is for under $50. The size doesn't matter, you set the settings that work best with your chamber. We don't do that adjusting. You see what temp and humidity works best with your setup, and set the devices software timer keep those settings.


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Re: Terrarium control system *DELETED* [Re: cyankid]
    #1272827 - 02/03/03 04:30 AM (20 years, 11 months ago)

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Offlinecyankid
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: poke smot!]
    #1273719 - 02/03/03 08:35 AM (20 years, 11 months ago)

Shit, that 25 foot limit might, well, limit me. Guess I'll have to move the computer. Or maybe I can get an old junk laptop. Any software hardware req's? Count me in, as long as it's under 100 bucks or so for temp/Rh, I'm in.


cyankid


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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: Anno]
    #1572539 - 05/23/03 03:26 PM (20 years, 8 months ago)

is this thread still active? How goes the design battle? I found a linear humidity sensor with DIGITAL output that might work for this. I could probly put it all together if you are going to do a batch purchase but I cannot burn PICs. BTW I would love to log my CO2 levels.


Edited by jorneyer (05/23/03 03:27 PM)


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Re: Terrarium control system *DELETED* [Re: jorneyer]
    #1575182 - 05/24/03 08:10 PM (20 years, 8 months ago)

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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: poke smot!]
    #1575226 - 05/24/03 08:31 PM (20 years, 8 months ago)

im in the process of creating my own automated system, but im hooking mine up to a nice lcd, and im trying to code a menu system, to change temps, humidity, etc... well just thought you should know, your project inspired me; so please share as much as u can =)


--------------------
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: poke smot!]
    #1575798 - 05/25/03 01:52 AM (20 years, 8 months ago)

I have a question for your FAQ. :smile:

I just got the necessary parts and I'm preparing to assemble it.
I have a question about wiring sensors. I got a SHS A3 humidity probe which is good for measuring high levels of humidity. It changes resistance like this: 75%<30kO, 93%<100kO & 100%>200kO
The temperature probe is KT100 ( http://www.infineon.com/cmc_upload/0/000/012/047/kt_10_.pdf ) and is declared to have 1630 O at 0C, 2000 O at 25C & 2080 at 30C.

How should I wire them to get the maximum resolution from the 8 bit A/D in the ranges needed for mushroom growing (RH 75%-100% & Temp 0C-30C)?
 


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Re: Terrarium control system *DELETED* [Re: zeronio]
    #1576551 - 05/25/03 03:39 PM (20 years, 8 months ago)

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Re: Terrarium control system *DELETED* [Re: poke smot!]
    #1576554 - 05/25/03 03:44 PM (20 years, 8 months ago)

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OfflineRustik
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: poke smot!]
    #1576732 - 05/25/03 05:53 PM (20 years, 8 months ago)

wow poke, you are quite the tinkerer here.

All in all, awesome setup!

So, I'm right in assuming your program also uses the input from the temp/RH gauges to turn humidifiers/heaters on and off as needed?

THAT would be the shit. :wink:

Next you would have to add a small fan and a CO2 sensor to regulate CO2 levels. This would work so much better than trying to do it manually, and IMO you would get some badass results in a chamber run by your device.

If you are ever planning on selling any, let me know!


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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: Rustik]
    #1577905 - 05/26/03 07:21 AM (20 years, 8 months ago)

i dont know if anyone covered this (it would take me dayz to read this entire thread anda good nights sleep to try and 'think' i understand the logistics of this neat little invention  :crazy:)
but as far as the software part maybe you could add selectable preset
growing parameters for different species..
for example: ([]<--brackets denote givin preset/drop menu boxes]
[what species] in which [phase](spawn run,post casing/pre-pinning, primordia formation,cropping,etc)
each phase has pre-programmed parameters...let it take it from there...
kinda like set n forget...
thats my insomniated 2 cents :wink:   


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Re: Terrarium control system *DELETED* [Re: 40oz]
    #1578136 - 05/26/03 10:49 AM (20 years, 8 months ago)

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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: poke smot!]
    #1584495 - 05/28/03 10:06 AM (20 years, 8 months ago)

A few thoughts so far;
I do not see why you need the computer to be involved at all. It makes the project beyond the scope of most potential users. I can see why you would want to sell them software, but that is two things, not one thing. The logging is a great feature, to be sure, but I think it is unecessarily complicated. To say "Just code it yourself" is fine but I am not in tech school anymore, with all the resources that go along with that. I cannot burn a PIC for that reason.
What I see happening here is a very simple {to use} system. You plug it into the wall, and plug your humidifier and heater into it. It would be up to the user to decide how big of a heater etc to use, based on his application.
Take linear sensor voltage and run it into the A/D. May want to op-amp first, not sure. Run a reference voltage to be user-adjustable for tuning, with two sets of LED displays. When they don't match, the humid. kicks in. All parts are off-the-shelf. That way plans and lists can be made available to any shroom grower, if they want to build one.
Does anyone know a good free circuit design software we could use for collaboration? I used to use electronic workbench, or PSpice might be good too.


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Offlineshroomologist
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: jorneyer]
    #1585626 - 05/28/03 04:25 PM (20 years, 8 months ago)

I thought this thread died.

I recently got a little gadget for home-robotics.

Its called SV203, its from Pontech

Its basically a pic, with an A/D converter, used to control servos. But its able to set pins as high or low instead of using a PWM signal. SO basically, it has 5 a/d ports, 8 servo outputs/inputs 2 unused input outputs....and its all done serially.

Right now i have a few programs for IR distance sensors/servos and a temp sensor. I have some H-bridges i'm going to be using as well for some possible Peltier cooling and heating.

I programmed it using Hotpaw basic for the palm pilot. Its standalong, and you can LOG whatever your data is, to a memory card.

SO far, i set it to read values from the IR sensors, log them to the memory card, and control a motor's speed depending on the distance (which is what you would literally do if you had a humidity or temp sensor and a heater/cooler)

Best of all, its around $60 and you can build it even cheaper. Its not hard, just takes a little coding. There is a standalone (onboard EEprom) that lets you run a program off it, and use an LCD etc, so it doesn't need to be tethered to the computer.

let me know if anyone is interested.


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Offlineshroomologist
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: shroomologist]
    #1585657 - 05/28/03 04:33 PM (20 years, 8 months ago)

oh, zeronio

can you link the Humidity sensor? i'm interested!



also, i found peltier modules for $5 a piece with heatsink :smile:

here's a rundown of cost that i've seen thus far for my design:

$5-$10 - pic processorwith onboard a/d
$2 - temp sensor
$10 for two - peltier module for cooling and heating
free - fan
free - old computer power supply
$20 - high power fets to regulate PWM signal to peltler junction for incremental heating and cooling, and also to the fan motor
$10 - LCD
a relay per humidifier
add another 10 or so for wire, some buttons for navigation, enclosure..etc

code is easily done, i have most of it already. It would be serial so things could be logged, or run alone via LCD and buttons.

it would most definately be under $100 including software, but also the serial interface code so you could code it as you want on any platform with a serial connection.

i also found SBC Pentium 200MHz computers for $25 if thats also an option, onboard ethernet, IDE controller, LCD controller, serial, parallel, VGA port, keyboard, mouse...think about the standalone system that you could build! *drools*



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Offlinejorneyer
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: shroomologist]
    #1586198 - 05/28/03 07:10 PM (20 years, 8 months ago)

as far as i can tell, the best humid. sensor type would be linear. Does anybody know the part number for an A/D that will accept this input? In the 0-4v range. I am using the latest free electronic workbench software but can't find how to search for specific parts. If anybody wants to burn a PIC for me that is cool too.


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Offlinezeronio
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: shroomologist]
    #1587286 - 05/29/03 01:31 AM (20 years, 8 months ago)

I cannot link directly to the page for my sensor. Go to www.conrad.de, enter SHS A3 in the "suche" field and press "go". After the find press "anzeigen".

It's non-linear (logaritmic) resistance sensor. It's working voltage is 0.8V. Any ideas on how to interface it?
The linearity is not a problem. If I understand it right I'll get more accurate readings in the right range (RH 75-100%). Of course I'll have to do some software signal conditioning.

Quote:

also, i found peltier modules for $5 a piece with heatsink



Wow, that's really cheap. What's their power?
If you're going to use the same element for heating and cooling it would be nice to see the circuit that does the switching! :laugh:

I got an old freezing cabinet that still works so for now I won't play with peltiers. However they would be great for smaller high-tech pods.

 


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Invisiblepoke smot!
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Re: Terrarium control system *DELETED* [Re: zeronio]
    #1588186 - 05/29/03 07:57 AM (20 years, 8 months ago)

Post deleted by poke smot!

Reason for deletion: x



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Offlinejorneyer
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: poke smot!]
    #1588268 - 05/29/03 08:57 AM (20 years, 8 months ago)

Would you want to have a pot on the Vref for drift adjustment? From the literature it seems that humidity sensors 'drift' after a while.

Here is another issue- when does the humidity turn off? The humiid [H] in the chamber drops, so the [H]er kicks in. With my [H]er, it puts out a real blast of fog. This boosts [H] too high, so it shuts off. I see a sort of oversaturation effect happening.
We have set a point, not a range.
Poke, yours is up and running, do you observe this effect? It is probably nothing.

I would like to see this thing workable like a heathkit... just connect the dots with a soldering iron.


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Offlinemattch1
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: jorneyer]
    #1588885 - 05/29/03 01:29 PM (20 years, 8 months ago)

Ive also made a similar-automated system. I simplified mine alot by using Parallax BASIC Stamps. I can control 2 terrariums (all monitored and automated seperately) and it works perfectly. It only cost me about $100 to get all the parts and the programming was incredibly simple (for people not as versed in computers/programming). If anyone is looking in to making one of these, I would suggest using the BASIC stamps, they simplify the process greatly, with minimal cost.


--------------------
Everything I ask is for informational purposes only. There is no truth to what i say. I am lying.


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OfflineAnnoA
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: mattch1]
    #1589072 - 05/29/03 02:20 PM (20 years, 8 months ago)

any links?


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Offlineshroomologist
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: Anno]
    #1589977 - 05/29/03 05:37 PM (20 years, 8 months ago)



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Invisiblepoke smot!
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Re: Terrarium control system *DELETED* [Re: shroomologist]
    #1591382 - 05/29/03 09:57 PM (20 years, 8 months ago)

Post deleted by poke smot!

Reason for deletion: x



Edited by poke smot! (05/29/03 09:57 PM)


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Offlineshroomologist
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: poke smot!]
    #1592318 - 05/30/03 06:58 AM (20 years, 7 months ago)

I think i'm going to mess around with the pic tonight and try some code.

basically: (AD1 is pot setpoint, and AD2 is sensor)
start
setpt = AD1

If AD2 less than setpt,
turn on
else,
turn off

goto start

similar for humidifier

LCD subroutines are everywhere, serial subroutines are everywhere

so i could have a standalone unit, or a tethered unit easily



I scored some Graphic LCD's from work :smile:
*yoink*
and some character (2*16) LCDs too!

I even *yoinked* an SBC to play with, not sure if it works tho.


what RH sensor works best for high humidity without saturating/failing in 100% RH?


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Invisiblepoke smot!
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Re: Terrarium control system *DELETED* [Re: shroomologist]
    #1592586 - 05/30/03 09:34 AM (20 years, 7 months ago)

Post deleted by poke smot!

Reason for deletion: x



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Offlineshroomologist
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: poke smot!]
    #1594519 - 05/30/03 07:10 PM (20 years, 7 months ago)

oh, sorry

i already have A/D subroutines that "sample" over a given period (maybe 10 seconds, but can be adjusted) then averages them, and does something acording to THAT value.

Kinda like a switch debounce, but more delay. It worked pretty good with the IR distance sensors in the robot i built. They were really shaky especially at the speed we went, so you had to quickly sense and average and adjust.

I was just saying, thats the basic program. thats the big picture of what we really want to do.

the subroutines for calculating the actual input value include thresholds, like somewhat of a hysteresis curve. Its not hard to implement, i actually have all the code i need, i'm just too bitch lazy to do it :smile: 


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Invisiblepoke smot!
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Re: Terrarium control system *DELETED* [Re: shroomologist]
    #1601145 - 06/02/03 11:01 AM (20 years, 7 months ago)

Post deleted by poke smot!

Reason for deletion: x



Edited by SheetRooms (08/31/07 11:06 AM)


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InvisibleYidakiMan
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: poke smot!]
    #1820773 - 08/16/03 06:21 PM (20 years, 5 months ago)

*Bizump*

A lot of this has been way over my head, in fact most is. I would like to express my interest in a unit that can control humidity. I am fortunate enough that my climate allows my house to remain at the appropriate temperature without any regulation.


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OfflineMr_Mead
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: poke smot!]
    #1829623 - 08/19/03 12:23 PM (20 years, 5 months ago)

Has anyone worked on web accessible control software, most likely written in Java or modPerl. Just curious cuz I've been thinking about remote control systems with logging capability, and it looks like most of the work has already been done. Also if anyone has snippets of open domain code or the like I'd really like to take a look at whats been done.

Mr. MEad


--------------------

-- Mead - Official drink of the 2005 Barbarian Games --


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OfflineGoodOlBattonAss
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Re: Terrarium control system [Re: Mr_Mead]
    #1846843 - 08/24/03 10:03 PM (20 years, 5 months ago)

Something everyone who is interested in terrarium controll should check out.



It is a new product from Green Air due to come out in two weeks. I contacted a hydro supplier and I have one on preorder. Can't wait.


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Offlineiorixxx
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Terrarium control system [Re: GoodOlBattonAss]
    #4588562 - 08/27/05 07:23 PM (18 years, 5 months ago)

I am going to build a grow chamber. And i am going to use ultrasonic humidifier. I am going to use parallel port to use it as a timer. I am going to find the best timer intervals to keep humidity and the air exchange indide the chamber. I will use computer to learn these values. Then i may be get timers. Becasue it is troublesome to a compuer to be open 24 hours. (7/24)


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InvisibleDragonaut

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Posts: 6,190
Re: Terrarium control system [Re: iorixxx]
    #4611270 - 09/02/05 01:12 AM (18 years, 4 months ago)

good luck with that.

Hey, whatever happened with this thread/experiment anyways? Has anyone come up with more ways to automate a fruiting chamber via computer? It's kind of a neat idea, however I think G.A.P. has the market cornered as far as environmental control systems goes. You don't even need a computer to use their products, and they are professionally designed. The only downside...EXPENSIVE. :thumbdown:


--------------------
:dragon:


Edited by WI_Shroomer_Skater (09/02/05 01:32 AM)


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